CEO (Y+HSF)

The Y & H Soda Foundation is an anti-poverty organization committed to uplifting the full participation and prosperity of low-income and underserved residents of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. We aspire to create a more just, prosperous and caring community in the East Bay. We believe that every resident deserves an equal opportunity to develop to his or her fullest potential and contribute to community life. Since our founding 56 years ago, the Y & H Soda Foundation has become a trusted philanthropic leader in the East Bay known for helping to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations, especially in Contra Costa County. We address emergent issues by convening funders, nonprofits, businesses and government representatives to achieve a more significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of residents. We are committed to the principles and promise of inclusion, equity and justice for all as we carry out the mission set by our founders. Over the past 13 years, the Y & H Soda Foundation has been led by a respected, thoughtful, and visionary leader who is retiring this spring. Our Board of Directors now seeks an innovative, strategic and visionary Chief Executive Officer to build on past program accomplishments, deepen our racial diversity and equity practice, and lead us into a new phase of growth and impact.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The successful candidate will be a proven leader in her/his field with strong communication and analytical skills, and a track record of building formal collaborative relationships across sectors. She/he will have substantial experience applying innovative and strategic approaches in one or more of our strategic priority areas. The candidate will possess working knowledge of how policy and associated systems and structures play-out at both the legislative and grass roots levels. Equally important, preferred candidates will possess knowledge and understanding of racial justice, social equity, racial and cultural difference, systemic and institutional racial bias, and sensitivity to issues concerning communities of color, as well as other diverse groups.

The new CEO will share the Y & H Soda Foundation's fundamental values – compassion for those struggling; dignity and respect for individuals; learning from others through their life experiences and knowledge; and integrity in all we do – as well as our passion for the Foundation's mission. In addition, she/he will have the ability to comfortably navigate within a range of community and professional circles, from the volunteer-run nonprofit in a low-income neighborhood to the board rooms of business, civic and legislative leaders. Our candidate will also bring to our close-knit office environment in Moraga the ability to promote an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Board Partnership: Cultivates a strong partnership with the Board in setting strategies and policies consistent with our mission; leads Board development activities; assists in the recruitment of new Board members; and provides Board members with sufficient information to make sound policy decisions.

Strategic Leadership: Assures that we have a long-term strategy to achieve our mission and measure consistent and timely progress; leads the completion and execution of our new strategic plan; provides leadership in developing program, organizational, investment and financial plans by monitoring standards in the field and creating an environment in which our activities reflect best practice; and stays abreast of advances in the field of philanthropy, changing policies and social landscapes.

Operational and Organizational Management: Manages our human capital including maintaining an inclusive workplace culture; hires, evaluates, and develops staff, informing the Board of Directors of personnel matters, as appropriate; ensures that employment policies are enforced and in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and Foundation policies; directs grant making and program evaluation to assess overall strategic impact and monitor implications of learnings to continuously ensure effective grant making; oversees preparation and monitoring of the annual budget and periodic reporting on our finances; monitors our investment activities to ensure that they are carried out in accordance with the investment policy statement; designs, reviews, maintains and implements all operational policies and guidelines for the Foundation and presents these to the Board of Directors for input and approval; ensures that we have the appropriate communication systems, physical space and technology to operate efficiently and effectively; and ensures that systems are in place to maintain accurate records and documents.

Community Relations: Represents and serves as our main spokesperson to the general public, philanthropic and nonprofit community, public officials and partner organizations; serves as an effective and strategic convener, community leader and bridge-builder; collaborates with other foundations, leaders in the field and key constituents to help deepen our impact; and oversees our communication strategies and tools to ensure consistency with our overall strategic objectives.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

Required competencies and experience:

• Seven years or more of senior level management experience in the philanthropic, nonprofit, government and/or private sector
• Deep knowledge, connections and professional experience in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
• Field knowledge and experience across at least two of our Strategic Priority Areas
• Experience building relationships with funders, grantees and other community and public sector leaders
• Demonstrated, practical understanding and application of race, equity, diversity and inclusion principles in an organizational setting
• Experience with board development, strategic planning, change management and employee engagement
• A Master’s degree in a related field (relevant experience in excess of the minimum requirements can be a substitute for an advanced degree)

Additional skills and abilities include:

• Approachable, ethical and humorous with strong emotional intelligence
• Philosophy of innovation, collaboration and movement building to create change
• Big-picture thinker capable of evaluating systems and developing solutions
• Excellent communicator across multiple audiences including grassroots organizations and peer funders
• Ability to coach, develop and inspire staff
• Appreciation of the power dynamics that shape grant making relationships and a commitment to building trust, two-way accountability and mutual respect, internally and externally

Compensation and Benefits

The Salary Range for this position is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. There is an excellent benefits package including generous medical, dental, and vision plans; paid time off; and a retirement plan.

HOW TO APPLY

The Y & H Soda Foundation is partnering with Walker and Associates Consulting to facilitate this search. To apply, email a cover letter, resume and list of three references (candidates will be notified in advance of any outreach to your references) to yhsodafoundation@walkeraac.com on or before 5:00 p.m. PST on Friday, February 28, 2020. Use the subject line: CEO Search. Submission via one combined PDF or Microsoft Word file is preferred. Resume review begins immediately.

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